Smore logo
remove_red_eye 323
page background
Logo

CHMS Weekly Update

April 6th - 10th, 2026

CHMS Weekly UpdateApril 6th - 10th, 2026

Welcome Back! Welcome Back!

We hope everyone had a relaxing and refreshing Spring Break! As we return, we’re excited to jump into the final stretch of the school year. This is a great time for students to stay focused, set goals, and finish strong! We’re proud of all the progress our students have made so far and look forward to a positive, productive end to the year!

March Is Reading Month! March Is Reading Month!

Wrapping Up

Our month of Reading Madness was full of engaging activities, friendly challenges, and plenty of book-inspired competition. Our students and staff definitely made March a winning month for reading!

Although March is over, we hope that our students still recognize the importance and power of reading. Remember, daily reading is one of the most impactful ways students build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and expand their thinking across all subject areas.


We will celebrate a great Reading Month with a March Madness themed assembly on Friday, April 10th!

Book Bracket

The votes are in, and the Harry Potter series came out on top! We hope this challenge encourages students to explore new titles, share their opinions, and develop a deeper love for reading.

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Homeroom Banners

Homeroom teams could earn extra points for creating a banner. They really showed off their creativity and had fun with this activity!

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Spring Testing! Spring Testing!

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Spring testing season is quickly approaching, and our students will be participating in several important assessments. All students will take the NWEA assessments in Math and Reading, along with the Acadience Reading assessment to provide a more detailed look at individual reading skills. Our 5th and 6th grade students will also take the Acadience Math assessment.


In addition, state testing will take place this spring. 5th grade students will take the MSTEP in Math, ELA, Social Studies, and Science. 6th and 7th graders will take the MSTEP in Math and ELA, while 8th graders will take the MSTEP in Social Studies and Science, along with the PSAT in Reading/Writing and Math.


These assessments provide valuable information to help us support each student’s growth and achievement. We encourage students to do their best, get plenty of rest, and come to school ready to focus. Thank you for your continued support!

Testing Dates

Wednesday, April 8th - 7th & 8th Grade Acadience (Gate 1) - normal schedule for all

Wednesday, April 15th - 8th Grade PSAT - altered schedule for 8th graders only

Monday, April 20th - 7th & 8th Grade Acadience (Gate 2) - normal schedule for all

Tuesday, April 21st - All Students, Reading NWEA - testing schedule

Wednesday, April 22nd - 6th Grade Acadience (ORF) - normal schedule for all

Thursday, April 23rd - All Students, Math NWEA - testing schedule

Monday, April 27th - 5th Grade Acadience (ORF) - normal schedule for all

Tuesday, April 28th - MSTEP - 6th & 7th Graders take Math, 5th & 8th Graders take SS - testing schedule

Thursday, April 30th - 5th Grade Math MSTEP - altered schedule for 5th graders only

Tuesday, May 5th - MSTEP - 6th & 7th Graders take ELA, 5th & 8th Graders take Science - testing schedule

Thursday, May 7th - 5th Grade ELA MSTEP - altered schedule for 5th graders only


*5th and 6th grade reading teachers give the Acadience Maze test in their classes between April 20th and May 1st

**5th and 6th grade math teachers give the Math Acadience between April 20th and May 1st

Fact Sheets

Check out the Fact Sheets linked below for more information about the tests and how they are structured.
pdf
insert_drive_file
Acadience Reading7-8 Fact Sheet (1).pdf
Download
147.4 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
Acadience Reading K-6 Fact Sheet (1).pdf
Download
176.1 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
Acadience Math Fact Sheet (1).pdf
Download
298.8 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
Family Guide to NWEA Map Growth - Fact Sheet (1).pdf
Download
283.1 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
State Assessments Fact Sheet (MSTEP & PSAT).pdf
Download
245.7 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
What Parents Should Know About State Assessments.pdf
Download
843.0 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
What Parents Can Do to Help Students Prepare.pdf
Download
155.1 KB

Links

The links below will take you to more information about each test.

M-STEP Summative

launch michigan.gov

The PSAT 8/9 – SAT Suite | College Board

Take the PSAT 8/9 to get early feedback on your knowledge in the areas that matter most for college and career readiness.

launch satsuite.collegeboard.org

Leading up to MAP Growth: 20 tips for families

As kids prepare for MAP Growth testing, teachers and families can work to help them succeed. These 20 tips will guide parent and guardians.

launch nwea.org

Acadience Reading Assessments | Acadience Learning

Acadience® Reading Assessments To help your students move forward, you first need to know where they’re at. Backed by years of rigorous research, our assessments allow you to identify where students are struggling and help them get back on track. Acadience measures are: Quick to administer Easy to score and record Designed for universal screening […]

launch acadiencelearning.org

Acadience Math | Acadience Learning

Acadience® Math Assessments provide universal screening detect when students need extra support sensitive to effects of intervention Acadience Math was designed with efficiency and dependability in mind. You can now track mathematics skills for students in grades K-6 as accurately and as easily as you track reading skills. Acadience Math Fact Sheet one-page product overview […]

launch acadiencelearning.org

CHMS Parent Club CHMS Parent Club

Chippewa Hills Middle School Parent Club

Chippewa Hills Middle School Parent Club. 331 likes. CHMS Parent Club will do all they can to bring positive and fun activities to our students.

launch facebook.com

Check out some info from our CHMS Parent Club!

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Warrior Watch! Warrior Watch!

Check out the St. Patrick's Day edition of the Warrior Watch if you missed it last week. A new episode will be coming soon!

Warrior Watch 3-26-26

Second Step Second Step

What are we learning this week?

5th Grade - Unit 2: Emotion Management

Lesson 12 - Managing Frustration

Why This Lesson Matters: Students can feel frustrated and disheartened when attempts to master academic or social challenges fail. Impulsive responses to frustration can be aggressive and problematic. Frustration can be handled in the same manner as anger or other strong emotions—by using the Calming-Down Steps. Once students calm their emotions, they are more likely to be successful at coming up with alternative solutions to difficult situations.


6th Grade - Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Lesson 21 - Why Conflicts Escalate

In this week’s lesson, your child will identify behaviors that can cause conflicts to escalate, so they keep them from becoming more serious.

Try this at home: Tell your child about a time when you played a part in escalating a conflict. Explain what you wished you had done instead. Ask your child if they are part of a conflict right now that they need help with.


7th Grade - Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Lesson 21 - Keeping Your Cool in a Conflict

In this week’s lesson, your child will explore how using emotion-management strategies, such as slow breathing, walking away, reframing the situation, and practicing positive self-talk, can help prevent a conflict from escalating.

Try this at home: Share with your child strategies you use to help yourself feel calm during escalating conflicts. Ask them to tell you any additional strategies they find helpful beyond the ones covered in the lesson.


8th Grade - Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Lesson 21 - Values and Relationships

In this week’s lesson, your child will draw connections between their values and the healthy relationships in their life.

Try this at home: Ask your child about how one of their values shows up in a healthy relationship they have. This could be a friendship, a sibling or other familial relationship, or even a professional relationship with a teacher or coach.

Mecosta County Youth Academy Mecosta County Youth Academy

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Middle School Athletics Middle School Athletics

No events this week!

Staff Shout-Outs! Staff Shout-Outs!

WE NEED MORE SHOUT OUTS!

Let's show our Chippewa Hills Middle School Staff some appreciation! This form will be linked every week along with a couple shout-outs to recognize the amazing staff at CHMS!
open_in_new

Some Recent Shout-Outs!

Mr. McArthur - 6th Grade Math Teacher

"He always helps his students and is really nice to all of his students."


Ms. Ottobre - Paraprofessional

"Amazing person and overall very helpful and patient"

Breakfast and Lunch Breakfast and Lunch

Note: Milk without a meal, a la carte items, and second meals will still need to be purchased.


The April breakfast and lunch calendars are attached below.

pdf
insert_drive_file
April Breakfast Calendar.pdf
Download
828.3 KB
pdf
insert_drive_file
April Lunch Calendar.pdf
Download
170.0 KB

Coming Up! Coming Up!

Friday, April 24th - Early Release Day for Students, Afternoon PD for Staff

Thursday, April 30th - 8th Grade Field Trip

Sunday, May 3rd - NJHS Induction Ceremony

Monday, May 4th - Early Release Day for Students, Afternoon PD for Staff

Wednesday, May 13th - Spring Orchestra Concert - 7:00 PM in HS Auditorium

Thursday, May 14th - Spring Band Concert - 7:00 PM in MS Gym

Sunday, May 17th - HS Graduation

Wednesday, May 20th - 6th Grade Field Trip

Wednesday, May 20th - Mosaic School Graduation - 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 21st - Early Release Day for Students and Staff

Friday, May 22nd - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Early Release Day for Students and Staff

Click Here for the School Website
Sarah Muscott
Principal at CHMS
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter